Malta Development Co. Inc. – Orchard Pointe

Malta Development’s new project will meet the changing living needs of today’s homebuyer.

By Alan Dorich

The country’s population is getting older, which has resulted in an evolution of what many buyers look for in their homes. Malta Development Co. Inc., a Ballston Spa, N.Y.-based homebuilder, will meet those changes with its latest community, Orchard Pointe.

President and owner Tom Samascott started the company in 1988 with the vision of offering quality built homes at an affordable price. Since then, Malta Development has helped more than 1,000 families build their dream homes, and he remains involved in the day-to-day operations and future growth planning of the company.

“We continually strive to meet and exceed the demands of today’s homebuyers and renters,” he says. “The ultimate goal is to offer unparalleled quality and value in everything that we build.”

Samascott, known as a leader in the Capital Region homebuilding industry, has served as president and vice president on the Board of the Saratoga Builder’s Association. He also was a founding member of its Showcase of Homes event.

His experienced team includes his son, Vice President Wayne Samascott, who has trained under his mentorship. He also serves as the company’s construction superintendent and is involved in supervising every house that Malta Development builds.

His daughter, Shannon Sheft, is the company’s office manager. “Shannon wears many hats but her main focus is making the entire building process as stress-free and pleasurable as possible,” the company says.

Sheft also works with buyers throughout the building process. “She guides customers through the onsite selection process, handles change orders and special requests, and coordinates the warranty program,” the company says, noting that she also conducts the final walkthrough and orientation.

Something for Everyone

Over the years, Malta Development has focused on developing and building residences in Saratoga County in upstate New York. “Saratoga County offers many things that our customers consider when deciding where they want to live,” Tom Samascott says.

These include nearby shopping, quality medical care, restaurants and entertainment. The location also gives them easy access to roadways and an Amtrak station, along with destinations such as the Saratoga Race Track, the oldest sporting venue in the country.

Residents can visit the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and participate in outdoor activities at the Spa State Park, Saratoga Lake, and nearby golf courses and ski areas. “There is something for everyone,” Samascott says.

A Broad Appeal

Malta Development’s Orchard Pointe project in Halfmoon, N.Y., will have 144 townhome units when finished. The company acquired the land from another developer who won approvals to build on the site 10 years earlier.

“Having been approved that long ago, this project presented certain challenges, namely the changing needs of the current homebuyer,” Samascott says. More baby boomers, Samascott explains, are entering the homebuying market with a desire for one-story and first-floor master suite plans.

These not only make the homes more accessible to seniors, but meet the needs of those who are looking to downsize. “We had to completely redesign the original concept of the previously approved subdivision,” he says.

But the appeal of the suites and one-story floor plans goes beyond buyers aged 50 and older. “Our floor plans are versatile and have drawn young professionals as well as young families,” Samascott says.

The project is in its first of three phases and will be finished by 2022. “Our three model homes opened in September 2016, just in time for the annual Saratoga Showcase of Homes tour,” he adds.

The company’s hard work paid off at the tour. “[We] received awards in all categories of judging, including Interior and Exterior Design and Best Workmanship, as well as the coveted Realtors’ Choice Award,” Samascott reports.

Fun Work

Orchard Pointe is Malta Development’s first townhome project, but it has much in common with the company’s previous work. “The townhomes at Orchard Pointe offer the same quality construction, extensive standard features and amenities, and super energy-efficient features like spray foam insulation,” Samascott asserts.

The company has maintained quality by incorporating engineered Trus Joists to eliminate squeaky floors and TimberStrand studs for straight walls that will not bow or warp. “In addition, [the homes feature] soaring 10-foot ceilings and solid core eight-foot doors,” he says.

The homes will have built-in cabinetry in their mudrooms, pocket offices and along their fireplaces, as well as insulated and sheet-rocked basements with egress windows. But the company also gives residents the ability to customize their units.

“Homebuyers come to our design center where they are provided with an opportunity to see and touch selections for the finishes of their new home, from cabinetry to flooring, all under one roof,” Samascott says. “This is a fun and exciting process.”

Healthy Living

Orchard Pointe reflects Malta Development’s focus on green. The company, Samascott notes, is the only production builder in the Capital Region that builds homes that are both Energy Star and National Green Building Standard certified, and use spray foam insulation.

Malta Development uses Zip System wall sheathing instead of traditional housewrap and energy-efficient Icynene Spray Foam Insulation. “This results in homes with a healthier living environment and substantially lower operating costs and monthly utility bills than other homes,” he says.

The homes also incorporate engineered floor systems and trusses that cut down on waste, low-VOC components, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and Energy Star appliances and light fixtures. But the units also will set themselves apart with technology packages that are “comparable to a professional business network,” Samascott says.

“All cabling connections and associated devices are neatly concealed in a panel in the basement, eliminating annoying wires,” he says. They also feature security systems with alarmed doors, motion detectors and glass break windows.

The kitchens feature audio systems. “After framing, our homebuyers do an electrical walk-through and a technology walk-through, which allows them to add any additional technology features that they would like,” he adds.

Exceeding Expectations

Malta Development has maintained a focus on quality as it has built Orchard Pointe. “The site supervisor is on-site daily and reports directly to the builder, who also makes regular visits,” Samascott says.

He adds that the company has learned lessons from Orchard Pointe that it will apply to future projects. For example, “We learn a lot from listening to our customers and are constantly striving to anticipate the demands of what is essentially an ever-changing housing market,” Samascott says.

However, “One thing that never changes is each customer’s desire for quality, value and exceptional customer service,” he states. “We will endeavor to not only meet but exceed expectation in this project and all future projects.”